Sheriff's office arrests burglary suspect

A McKinleyville burglary suspect was arrested Monday after allegedly breaking into a home on the 2100 block of Babler Road a day earlier and stealing an estimated $10,000 worth of items.

According to a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release, the owner of the Babler Road house notified deputies at about 6:45 p.m. Sunday of the burglary. The victim said, while away from the house for the afternoon, an unknown suspect had entered the residence and stolen numerous items, including jewelry, electronics, cash, food and a computer.

While patrolling on the 200 block of Stevens Way in McKinleyville the following day at about 8 a.m., a deputy noticed an older Mitsubishi Trooper with expired vehicle registration tags parked outside of a residence. After making contact with the driver, Daniel Christie, 36, the deputy discovered Christie was on probation for possession of illegal drugs with a search clause. Christie had been previously arrested by sheriff's office deputies on Dec. 14 in Blue Lake following a struggle involving a Taser. According to the sheriff's office, Christie later admitted to having taken methamphetamine.

A search of Christie's vehicle revealed paperwork and property belonging to the Babler Road burglary victim, officials said. The deputy detained Christie and contacted the owners of the residence Christie had been parked in front of, who allowed the deputy to search their home. The search revealed additional stolen property taken from the Babler Road residence, according to a press release.

Christie was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of stolen property. According to the release, he was taken to the Humboldt County jail. His bail was set at $50,000.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity to call the sheriff's office at 445-7251, or the sheriff's office crime tip line at 268-2539.